Making an NFL roster is not an easy task. Every training camp, numerous players will be cut in their attempt to make a 53-man roster.

There are also eight spots teams hold that create what’s known as the practice squad. These players are usually younger guys that teams put aside to build their skill and to have talent available in case of injury.

On July 21, the Dallas Cowboys will open training camp in Oxnard, California. Here, the coaching staff will evaluate the talent on the roster and determine which players will be around this season.

Having a strong practice team is essential to having success in this league because of how often injuries occur. The 2012 Cowboys know this all too well.

Here are seven players that will be looking to make the active roster this summer, but will probably find themselves on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.

Kendial Lawrence, Running Back

The Cowboys running back situation is very interesting heading into training camp. Although Dallas has a star in starter DeMarco Murray, he’s yet to complete an entire season.

This is what led to using the team’s fifth-round draft choice on Oklahoma State running back Joseph Randle. Once again, there are high expectations for Randle, but no one knows what he will actually bring to the organization.

Then there is the battle for the third position. The three guys competing will be Lance Dunbar, Phillip Tanner and undrafted free agent Kendial Lawrence.

Lawrence is a guy who went under the radar during the draft and could be the next diamond in the rough. He is extremely fast, posting a 4.33 40-yard dash time in his pro day at Missouri.

With speed like this, he could very well make the Cowboys roster and be a great change-of-pace back.

If he doesn’t impress coaches enough to make the active roster, he’ll be someone Dallas holds onto with a practice squad spot. With the way the Cowboys running backs get hurt, Lawrence could have an impact this year.

Xavier Brewer, Cornerback

Ned Dishman/Getty ImagesBrewer will need to have a good training camp.

Xavier Brewer is another name many Cowboys fans are probably unfamiliar with. He went undrafted despite being one of the better secondary players in the ACC at Clemson.

Brewer is listed on the Dallas depth chart as a cornerback, although he played safety while in college as well. This proves how he is a versatile player that can potentially move around the field if need be.

Brewer showed how productive he was with Clemson with his ability to make big plays. Last season, he recorded eight tackles for loss while forcing four turnovers.

Similar to the linebacker spot, the Cowboys cornerbacks are set at the starting positions, but there isn’t much depth behind them. Orlando Scandrick is the only proven player really, so the spot for the fourth corner is wide open.

If Brewer can turn heads at camp, he could snag a place on the roster somewhere.

Danny Coale, Wide Receiver

Layne Murdoch/Getty ImagesCoale will contend for a spot if he stays healthy.

The Cowboys drafted Danny Coale in the fifth round in the 2012 draft. He suffered several injuries during the course of the year, preventing him from making the active roster and ending his season with an ACL tear in November.

Coale is someone who can make the team as potentially the fifth wide receiver. He’s battling the likes of Cole Beasley, Anthony Amos, Anthony Armstrong, Jared Green, Eric Rodgers and Benford.

Despite his size (6’0”, 196 lbs), Coale has to be one of the favorites to get that spot. Dallas showed its interest in the receiver by using the draft pick and signing him to a practice squad contract.

Coale definitely has work to do in training camp to move up the depth chart though. Beasley played well at times last year, and I can’t see Dallas keeping both players on the active roster.

Jakar Hamilton, Safety

Mike Zarrilli/Getty ImagesHamilton could sneak his way onto the roster.

Jakar Hamilton is the last player who might find himself on the practice squad. He is another undrafted rookie Dallas recently picked up.

Hamilton initially went to school at Georgia but then transferred to South Carolina State.

Although he’s not the most athletic person, Hamilton is a nice player that reads situations well and can tackle in space. He doesn’t get fooled often and likes to play physically.

What gives him a real chance to make the team is the crapshoot Dallas currently has at its safety position. Barry Church, Matt Johnson, Will Allen and J.J. Wilcox are all ahead of him, but no one besides Allen has accomplished anything in their careers.

Hamilton should contend for one of the backup roles and at the very least be a practice squad candidate.